South African motorists can expect more pain at the fuel pumps from the beginning of September, with mid-month fuel price data pointing towards a rather hefty price increase.

Based on the data available thus far, the Automobile Association is predicting a petrol price hike in the region of 63 cents a litre, while diesel prices look set to rise by around 57 cents and illuminating paraffin by 58 cents.

95 Unleaded petrol currently sells for R13.05 in Gauteng and R12.56 at the coast.

“The Rand has weakened an average of 20 cents against the US dollar since the start of August. Meanwhile, international fuel product prices have remained on the higher plateau they reached towards the end of July,” the AA said.

According to the SA Reserve Bank’s website, the rand has traded between R13.19 and R13.49 to the dollar during the month so far, but it does appear to have stabilized around the R13.30 mark in recent days.

While this won’t be enough to reverse September’s fuel price fortunes, it could soften the blow to some degree, assuming the rand remains stable or appreciates.

Stephen McGown, the South African held hostage by al-Qaeda-linked militants in a Mali desert for almost six years, is still angry at his captors for not releasing him to attend his mother’s funeral.

She died in May.

McGown made his first public appearance at the Gift of the Givers offices in Joburg on Thursday accompanied by his father Malcolm, wife Catherine and sister Leigh-Anne.

McGown returned to the country last week, sparking speculation about whether the government paid a ransom to secure his release.

Reliving his six-year ordeal, a mostly jovial McGown said he had a lot to catch up on and was learning something new every day.

At the press conference, the former banker learnt for the first time that musicians George Michael and David Bowie had died.

McGown said all he wished for on his return was to be reunited with his family. The fact that his mother was not there to welcome him had hurt him deeply.

“I don’t want to harbour resentment, but I’m angry that I wasn’t released to be with my mother or to go to her funeral. I will forgive them because I don’t want to carry the burden,” he said.

Abducted with Swedish national Johan Gustafsson and Dutchman Sjaak Rijke at a hotel in Timbuktu in 2011, McGown revealed that they were kept mostly in the desert, exposed to the vagaries of the weather. McGown was on a motorbike road trip in Timbuktu.

He revealed that although born a Christian, he converted to Islam during his captivity of his own volition. The fresh-looking man, still sporting a long beard, said his religion and regular physical exercises kept his health and spirits up.

“I didn’t want to come home angry. I wanted to come here a better person. I used the exercises as a relief and to forget what was happening around me. I was worried about my health a lot, and sometimes these exercises would be cancelled for no reason. We just had to toe the line and do what we were told.”

He and the other two prisoners were moved between nine or 10 camps during their ordeal. The camps were often heavily guarded and in secluded places. The guards would rotate monthly to avoid getting familiar with the prisoners.

McGown was the last of the three prisoners to be released.

He said he believed there could be more prisons around Mali.

“I never saw them, but our captors would mention them.”

He said his kidnapping still worried him as he thought that Muslims were friendly and welcoming people to foreign guests.

“I still don’t know why it happened or whether it’s because they caught me with a British passport,” said McGown.

He said he initially found it difficult to settle down and the first three months were horrific as he did not know if he’d be alive the next day.

“They would swear at us, but the treatment got better when I converted to Islam.

“The name-calling stopped and they would wash my clothes and give me the good meat from the animals they had slaughtered. Things changed drastically. We were well looked after but there was always uncertainty.

“I’ve learnt a lot from Islam. Its laws are strict and require a strict character. It has removed me from the capitalist way of thinking. I’m more about humankind now,” he said.

Gift of the Givers co-ordinated his release. The organisation’s chief Imtiaz Sooliman said the militants initially wanted 10 million for the release of each prisoner.

“I had to tell them that my organisation does not pay anybody money,” Sooliman said.

Mohamed Yehia Dicko from the organisation was the main negotiator with the militants. He had to travel to Mali nine times to pass messages between them and the organisation. He was also instrumental in getting McGown videos from Mali to prove to his family that he was alive.

“In some cases, the meetings scheduled for Monday would only take place days later because of security checks I had to go through. I was the only person they could deal with because I spoke their language,” said Dicko, who is from Mali.

He also confirmed that no money was exchanged between them and the militants.

The family of kidnapped Pretoria businessman Omar Carrim says he has a heart condition and is appealing to his kidnappers to take him to hospital for a heart operation.

“Our Tata has a serious heart condition and is in urgent need of open heart surgery‚ as all his arteries are blocked. He was scheduled for surgery on Friday morning‚ the day after his kidnapping. The first short call to me and instructions from our Tata was ‘get my heart medicine’. I replied‚ ‘I am surprised you are alive without your medicine‚” said Carrim’s son Abdullah in a statement.

He said the call was “abruptly” disconnected when he asked how he could get the medicine to his father.

“I can further confirm that I have also received a second longer call from Tata yesterday (Tuesday) and his first words‚ in a distressed and severely weakened voice‚ were: ‘I am dying‚ I can’t make it‚ pray for me.’

“I immediately replied‚ ‘I will’. I reminded our Tata to also pray to our Creator and I further reminded him that our Creator is sufficient for us…

“I further said to him to only ask our Creator to be pleased with us and he immediately replied and prayed: ‘our Creator is sufficient for us.’

“We appeal to the kidnappers‚ please send Tata to theatre. You have been with Tata these few days‚ and you saw the gentleness‚ kindness and love of Tata‚” Abdullah said.

“We know you also have kindness and love in your heart‚ please do the right thing and take Tata to theatre immediately.”

The frantic search for the 76-year-old prominent businessman started on Thursday evening when he failed to arrive at his Laudium home at his normal arrival time of 6:15pm. He vanished after leaving his Home Hyper store in Pretorius Street in Pretoria CBD that afternoon.

His burnt Mercedes Benz E300 was found on Friday along the R515‚ near Atteridgeville.
Source – Herald

Qatar is scrapping visa requirements for visitors from 80 countries as it weathers a boycott by four Arab states and gears up to host the World Cup in 2022.

Under the new policy announced by Qatar Airways and authorities on Wednesday, citizens of 33 mostly European countries can enter without a visa for 90 days in single or multiple trips during a 180-day period.

Americans, Britons, Canadians and citizens of 44 other countries, including South Africa can enter visa-free for an initial 30 days on single or multiple trips, and can extend that for a further 30 days.

The list of countries includes the likes of UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Seychelles, Australia and New Zealand among many others.

Qatar authorities state citizens from the selected countries need not apply or pay for the visa from now on. A multi-entry waiver will be issued, which will be free of cost at the port of entry, after presenting a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or a return ticket.

Energy-rich Qatar’s economy has taken a hit since Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain moved to isolate it two months ago over allegations it supports terrorists. An Allegation that Qatar denies.

At 14:00 on Tuesday MPs will gather at the National Assembly to cast their vote via secret ballot in the highly anticipated vote of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma.

Parliament has set out the process in a statement released on Tuesday.

Here’s what to expect:Preparation for voting

After the debate on a motion of no confidence, business will be suspended in order to allow for preparation of the NA Chamber for a secret ballot vote.

Bells will be rung to alert members to the resumption of business and the doors of the National Assembly Chamber will be locked for voting.

The Speaker will announce the procedure to be followed for the casting of votes.

Ballot papers and boxes

The question to be voted upon will be printed on the ballot paper, with the following options: YES, NO or ABSTAIN.

There will be two ballot boxes and four voting booths – one will be wheelchair accessible.

The Speaker will direct that the empty boxes be shown to members and, thereafter sealed with cable ties.

Process in the chamber
A control sheet will be prepared beforehand with members’ names.

Members will be called in alphabetic order to collect ballot papers from the voting table.

Each ballot paper issued will be stamped before being given to a member.

Names of members issued with ballot papers will be crossed out on the control sheet.

Members will proceed to one of the four booths and will vote by making a clear mark or cross alongside the YES, NO or ABSTAIN options.

Each member present must vote and may only vote once.

Once all members present have voted, the Speaker will direct that the ballot boxes be closed and sealed.

The opening slit on the lid of the ballot box (for insertion of ballot papers) will also be sealed after the ballots are cast.

The Speaker will request each party to designate one whip or representative to witness the counting process.

Business will be suspended for counting.

Counting room
A counting room will be set aside and monitored by the Serjeant-at-arms and the Parliamentary Protection Services.

Counting of the ballot papers will take place under the supervision of the Speaker and in the presence of the whips or party representatives.

All ballot boxes will be opened in the presence of the Speaker, Whips or party representatives.

Votes will be sorted, counted and audited in the presence of the Speaker, Whips or party representatives.

The Secretary to the National Assembly will sign-off the result before handing it over to the Speaker.

No one is to disclose the results, in any way whatsoever, before the Speaker announces the results in the Assembly.

No one may use any electronic devices in the counting room.

Invalid ballot papersA ballot paper is invalid –
If it is not stamped
If it is unmarked or
If a Member has signed his or her name, or made more than one mark in recording his or her vote.

Announcement of results
Bells will be rung to alert members to the resumption of business.
Once business resumes, the Speaker will announce the results in the NA Chamber.

Storage of voting results
The ballot papers will be stored in archive boxes, which will be sealed with cable ties and wax and stored in a safe.
The archive boxes may only be opened by order of the Speaker or a court of law.

Unforeseen procedural matters
The Speaker may permit a discussion of the question of procedure and may limit participation in, and for the duration of, the discussion in such manner as he or she deems fit.

A popular Montagu resort, roughly three hours from Cape Town, has removed a sign restricting swimming pool access for Hijab wearing Muslims dating back an estimated 25 years.

This follows a complaint from a Muslim client, who says the sign’s removal is all a little too late.

The sign, previously situated near one of Avalon Springs’ several natural spring pools, gave an overview of the rules applicable to day visitors.

One of the rules read that Muslim guests are permitted to “wear their attire, but this is restricted to the ‘Crocodile Pool’ only”.

In written answers to News24 on Friday, Avalon Springs’ General manager Gavin Hatherley said the sign dates back 25 years and it is unclear how the sign has been “overlooked all this time”.

“This is indeed an unfortunate and embarrassing situation for us, and we thank you for helping us to address it.”

He said the resort has reviewed all signage on the property, following the complaint, to ensure “none of them causes offence, or has the potential to cause offence”.

Muslim clients have however rejected the “excuse”, questioning how the large sign could be overlooked for so many years.

“I am certain there were other people who also complained, but now that the media is involved and that it can affect their pocket, they do something,” Gava Kassiem told News24 in Afrikaans.

“It’s laughable, any sane person can see it’s laughable.”

Kassiem, who visited the resort in July, also questioned whether the sign was put up 25 years ago.

“I’ve had many family gatherings there, for over 20 years my family has been visiting the resort, and there was never a sign prohibiting me from wearing my hijab.”

She said that while she is hurt by the discrimination against Muslims, she finds it as nothing new.

“One should think that 20 years after apartheid this thing would be something of the past. But yes, I am used to it. In apartheid, I was told I can’t sit here and I can’t go there. It still feels the same today.”

She said the MPs decided the delegation should not visit the parliament and if it did, they would not participate in the meeting.

The ANC has the majority in parliament with 249 seats out of 400-seat assembly.

Mhlauli said she was not aware if the decision had been communicated to the Israeli delegation that was planning to visit this month.

Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, also an ANC parliamentarian, commended his colleagues for turning down the request to meet the Israeli delegation.

“Parliament has stayed true to Nelson Mandela’s commitment to stand by the Palestinian cause until Palestine is free,’’ Mandla said in a statement.

He called on the ANC caucus in parliament to equally apply pressure on the ANC-led government to send the Israeli ambassador out of the country, and recall its ambassador from Israel as well as cut all diplomatic and other ties.

“History calls upon us to take similar measures to those taken by freedom, justice and peace loving communities that supported the global anti-apartheid movement against the brutal and illegitimate South African regime,” he said.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) also welcomed the decision.

“Cosatu joins solidarity organizations, human rights bodies and other groups in welcoming the decision by the parliament of South Africa to turn down a request to meet with a visiting delegation from Israel,” the group said in a statement. Majority of South Africans support the Palestinian cause because they believe what is happening to

Palestinians is similar to what they went through during the apartheid era.

Cape Town – Shoe City has been forced to apologise to the Muslim community after the name “Muhammad” appeared on the sole of a shoe and its corresponding box.

The image of the shoe name was circulated on social media and eventually caught the attention of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC).

“A post making the rounds via social media about a shoe that displayed a price tag with the name Muhammad on its sole and outside of the shoe’s box reached the Muslim Judicial Council (SA) over the weekend,” the MJC said in a statement.

“Mr Wasserval was given fair opportunity to present his case and gave a detailed explanation of how the improper use of the name of our most Beloved Prophet, Muḥammad (Peace Be Upon Him) came to be.

“The situation arose after Shoe City (a member of the Pepkor Group) implemented a Style Reference Name for shoes instead of a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) number. The list of names was provided by their IT specialists who Googled the most popular men’s names.

“Mr Wasserval tendered his sincerest apology for their ignorance on when the name Muḥammad can be used and when not.

“The MJC (SA) accepted Mr Wasserval’s apology and was assured that all shoes carrying this price tag will be recalled and a small committee be established to investigate the list of names being used in future labeling opportunities,” the MJC said.

The shoes drew outrage from some members of the Muslim community.

Shoe City tended an apology to the Muslim community, posting it on its Facebook page.
“We, therefore, consider this matter closed,” the MJC said. “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Muslim community, who despite feeling deeply hurt and insulted, dealt with the issue in a calm and respectful manner.”
Source – IOL News

McGown’s return was secured through a collaborative effort that included the NGO, Gift of the Givers, and the governments of South Africa and Mali, where McGown had been held captive since November 2011.

Mohamed was abducted in January by a group of armed men. He had travelled to Syria on assignment with Gift of the Givers.

Speaking to The Star on Thursday, Department of State Security spokesperson Brian Dube said although the circumstances of Mohamed’s capture was different from McGown, the government was still working tirelessly to try to secure the photo-journalist’s safe return.

“The government’s position has always been the same… that whoever goes missing or gets kidnapped outside the country, it will always play a role to try to get them back,” Dube said.

“I can confirm that we are seized with this matter in trying to assist. We are working as a team led by Dirco (Department of International Relations and Co-operation), because this is an international matter.

“And, of course, State Security will also play its role in trying to bring back Mr Mohamed. It’s a team effort,” he added.

Dube could not, however, provide details on the progress of attempts to bring Mohamed back home.

It was an emotional briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, when McGown’s family sat alongside cabinet ministers to announce the joyous news of their loved one’s return after years of captivity by al-Qaeda’s Mali branch.

This brought an end to a traumatic five years and eight months for the family since the capture of their son, during which McGown’s mother Beverly died in May after a long illness and without seeing her son’s return.

McGown’s father, Malcolm, said it was a “miracle” for the family to have him back, but detailed the difficulties they suffered in Stephen’s absence.

There’s an event that’s creating a buzz with everyone… Yes! It’s the Syria Nasheed tour featuring International nasheed artists and its happening in December.

The event is in aimed at raising funds that will be directed towards education for the many Syrian children bearing the brunt of the conflict. With their country in turmoil for what looks to be the foreseeable future, education will be vital in helping the children of Syria rebuild the pieces of their shattered lives and land. With 3 million Syrian children lacking access to education as a result of the conflict, demand is high.

Cii Projects have partnered with Syria Relief UK who currently has an education project underway. Syria Relief’s Education Program is expanding rapidly with 70 schools that have requested support currently on the waiting list. Without it, they may be forced to close, leaving thousands of children with no education, endangering their safety and their future. Those unable to access education are left vulnerable to exploitation on the streets, prey to any unscrupulous opportunist.

What is the Education project about?
Thus far the Syria Relief Education project has over 16,000 children that are being taught daily according to the Syrian education curriculum. After having successfully reopened schools that were closed down, rebuilding and refurbishing where necessary, many of Syria Relief schools operate double shifts to accommodate the demand.

The organization has also opened a number of schools that cater for children with learning difficulties and hearing impairments, currently accommodating 2,000 school children with special needs.

An important part of the education project is CFS, where 31 Child Friendly Spaces are allocated. These provide 1000 children with psychosocial support daily, a crucial service in a place where trauma and loss are daily occurrences.
The teachers for these facilities are trained in child protection, psychological support and first aid as standard.

Specialist psychological support staffs are available at all of our regular schools, providing one-to-one and group sessions for children and staff.